Kelechi Iheanacho scored to propel Leicester City to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup following a 1-0 victory over League Two’s Gillingham.
Iheanacho returned to the starting XI as Brendan Rodgers made eight changes to the team that was defeated 1-0 by Fulham in the English Premier League (EPL) on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian could have grabbed an assist in the ninth minute, but Kasey McAteer’s final shot – after receiving the cross from the forward – was blocked.
Iheanacho came close to breaking the deadlock in the 44th minute, but his header from inside the box was blocked. Another chance came up a minute later, but the Super Eagle missed the target as he attempted to find the back of the net from the right side of the box.
Finally, Iheanacho put the Foxes ahead in the 56th minute when he successfully fired the ball into the left corner. Jamie Vardy spotted the Nigerian at the centre of the box, and the African star did well to score with his left-foot.
The former Manchester City forward – after receiving the ball from Youri Tielemans – would have grabbed a brace at the hour mark, but his effort was saved.
The Foxes’ FA Cup hero in 2021 has been overlooked in recent games as Rodgers has preferred Vardy and Patson Daka as his two attackers.
Although Daka – who has not scored in his last nine games – and Vardy have not been effective in goal, Iheanacho has continuously failed to make it into the starting XI.
It was a twist of fate for two EPL sides – Southampton and Nottingham Forest on the same day of the FA Cup.
While Saints with Nigeria’s Joe Aribo came from behind to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1, Forest without their hitman and Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi were kicked out of the competition after losing 1-4 to Championship side Blackpool.
Goal
